After discussing alcohol, year 6 then went on to discuss smoking and how that can cause harm to our bodies. The children learnt all about the different ways smoking can be harmful and the reasons why we shouldn’t do it.

They were then asked a very important question – should smoking be banned?

Abi – yes because if people smoke too much they could die younger than they would if they didn’t smoke.
Tibet – no because people would want it more and would find ways to get it illegally.
Reuben – yes because it is so expensive and if you waste lots of money on smoking you could even become homeless.
Ruby – yes because it is a lot of money to spend in a year.
Llukan – no because people often smoke to reduce stress.

Continuing with their PSHE topic, Year 6 have been discussing alcohol and the effects that drinking alcohol can have on your body. After discussing this, the children answered some very important questions that allowed them to consider what they thought themselves about alcohol.

Do you think the legal age to buy and drink alcohol should be raised to 21?
Reuben – yes because you are not responsible enough at 18 and you might drink too much.
Sneha – no I think it should stay at 18. At 18 you officially become an adult and therefore you should be mature enough to make your own choices.

Why do you think underage drinking is a problem?
Harley – they probably want to show off to other people.
Miranda – they might be influenced at home seeing other people drinking.
Alfie – might be influenced by friends and older children.
Anastasya – peer pressure might make some people drink underage.

The children were then given a scenario.

You are at your friends house. They tell you that there is some alcohol in the kitchen cupboard and that you should try it. What should you do?

Luke – say no thank you because it’s dangerous.
Llukan – say no because alcohol is a drug.
Ruby – say no because you don’t know exactly what is in it. There might be more than alcohol.
Paris – say no because it is illegal and you are underage.
Reuben – say no because it might affect my behaviour and attitude.

As part of the PSHE curriculum, the children have been discussing the difference between legal and illegal drugs.

The children were already very knowledgeable and remembered exactly what defines a drug. A drug is a substance that changes the way a person feels, thinks or behaves.

The children could also confidently discuss the difference between legal and illegal drugs, as well as giving a few examples of each.

We then as a class discussed whether we thought drugs should be totally banned, all types of drugs. The children had mixed opinions on this matter.

Ewan – not all of them because some help people get better when they are ill. But some do cause bad behaviour and harmful actions.

Miranda – not all of them because the majority of drugs are only there to help people.
Paris – yes they should because they can all be addictive and influence behaviour.

We then discussed how some common illnesses can actually be helped using home remedies rather than medicines. The children shared some of their own home remedies that they use, including drinking warm honey and milk if you have an upset stomach!